How the Brain Purges Bad Memories – Scientific American

A new study confirms that a working connection between the two brain regions is necessary to do away with fear. Credit: Thinkstock

“A brain circuit has been found that allows us to forget fear and anxiety.
The brain is also adept at knowing when an initially threatening or startling stimulus turns out to be harmless or resolved. But sometimes this system fails and unpleasant associations stick around, a malfunction thought to be at the root of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). New research has identified a neuronal circuit responsible for the brain’s ability to purge bad memories, findings that could have implications for treating PTSD and other anxiety disorders…” Read Full Article – Source: How the Brain Purges Bad Memories – Scientific American

The brain is extraordinarily good at alerting us to threats. Loud noises, noxious smells, approaching predators: they all send electrical impulses buzzing down our sensory neurons, pinging our brain’s fear circuitry and, in some cases, causing us to fight or flee.